Dead End is a horror movie with a fair bit of heart. The best part of this movie has to be the spot-on performance by Ray Wise. I was a huge fan of Wise in Twin Peaks (where he conjured up the insane yet lovable Leland Palmer) and he's just as good in this movie as a man who is trying desperately to keep himself and his family sane. Always just a hair's breadth away from a complete freak-out, he stubbornly persists in his embrace of reality and his rejection of the paranormal. Wise is a great actor; his performance saved "Jeepers Creepers II" (elevating it above the original IMHO).
That being said, I found other aspects of the movie did not work out as well. The highway and woods (essentially the only set pieces in the entire film) did have an undeniably claustrophobic quality, but the story was somewhat weak and the ending felt tacked on, despite the twist. I don't think there's much use in trying to "decode" anything about the conclusion of this film at all. You'll see what I mean when you get there If you don't think about it too hard, this is a pretty great little movie. If nothing else, enjoy it as an alternative to the much more formulaic fair usually found in the horror aisle at the video store.
That being said, I found other aspects of the movie did not work out as well. The highway and woods (essentially the only set pieces in the entire film) did have an undeniably claustrophobic quality, but the story was somewhat weak and the ending felt tacked on, despite the twist. I don't think there's much use in trying to "decode" anything about the conclusion of this film at all. You'll see what I mean when you get there If you don't think about it too hard, this is a pretty great little movie. If nothing else, enjoy it as an alternative to the much more formulaic fair usually found in the horror aisle at the video store.